Official Texas Digital Press Members Roll Call!

[purenergy]

Sounds great!
:)
I will try to make it on Saturday, hope to meet any DP'ers while enjoying some classic pinball and gaming!

Brad

[g2000]

Hit me up if you Dallas boys ever have a get together. I'm in Denton.

[8bitgamer]

Hit me up if you Dallas boys ever have a get together. I'm in Denton.

Some of us DPers are going to the Texas Pinball Festival in Grapevine, which you can read about here:

http://www.texaspinball.com/overview.htm

[Fuyukaze]

There's Project A-Kon coming up at the end of May. Sure, it's mostly anime but there's plenty going on that isnt. Currently they plan to have a console room again this year unlike the previous two. Be a fun way for everyone to get together.

[g2000]

Some of us DPers are going to the Texas Pinball Festival in Grapevine, which you can read about here:

http://www.texaspinball.com/overview.htm




Thanks for the info man. I hope to make it out and check some cool stuff out.

[dr101z]

I might have to make the trip up to DFW for this show. Any DP'ers have a particular time to meet?

[packratshow]

Fellow Houstonian checking in.

I was contacted by someone at Delta-H Con who saw my website and asked if I'd mention their event. Still not sure what will actually be there as there isn't too much info, but it does list games in the description. Who knows, I'll probably be there either way. If it's not good, at least it will be amusing!

http://www.deltahcon.com/

[8bitgamer]

I might have to make the trip up to DFW for this show. Any DP'ers have a particular time to meet?

In an earlier post, I suggested meeting between 3:30-4:00 at the autographing table (near the registration desk), but didn't get any responses.

[Iron Draggon]

OMG... somebody PLEASE hook a brother up with a ride to this event... I live in Fort Worth now, and everybody knows that I'm a BIGTIME PINBALL FAN!

[jeffg]

i live in burleson and might go check out the flea market. do you know if anyone sets up with console stuff there?

[Steve W]

Crud, I don't know if I can make it to the Texas Pinball show. I asked for the 15th off, Saturday, and didn't get it. I might only make it there after I get out of work/hell.

If the flea market you're talking about is Trader's Village, then check the far north end of the place, booth 2033. The guy out there has loads of consoles. And there's a booth, #1309, that has a little bit of stuff too (that is if you can find anything amongst his clutter).

[8bitgamer]

The Texas Pinball Convention is March 14-16 in Grapevine. They always have a number of classic video games set on free play, plus, of course, tons of pinball machines.

I've been several times and always have a blast. We should all get together and hang out. If nothing else, we could go grab a bite to eat at the Whataburger, which is easily within walking distance.

http://www.texaspinball.com/

Hope to see some of you out there this Saturday.

[Steve W]

Well, I'm going to try and make it tomorrow, after I get off work. It's going to be sometimes after 2pm.

[purenergy]

I should be there around 12/noon.
Hope everyone has a great time.

[8bitgamer]

I just got home from opening night of the Texas Pinball Festival. It was great fun. They had all my favorite machines, including Monster Bash, Creature from the Black Lagoon, Twilight Zone, and lots of others, plus some I had never played before, such as Super Mario Bros. and Indiana Jones.

Better get to bed so I'll be rested up for tomorrow.

[Steve W]

I'm currently on route, just stopping off at a Schlotzsky's for a quick bite. But it turns out I loaned out my digital camera. I hope someone else brings one and posts the pics.

[purenergy]

If anyone took some pics, please post some here. Thanks.
:)

Wish I could have made it, but as soon as I hit heavy traffic on the expressway (Hwy 75), I got very sick. Some kind of bad food poisoning, or something (went home, and slept it off.)
Wish I could have been there. But hope everyone that attended had a great time!
:-D

[8bitgamer]

[QUOTE=purenergy;1339650]If anyone took some pics, please post some here. Thanks.
:)

Never saw any DP'ers, but had a great time nevertheless.

Click on the following link for photos:

http://brettweisswords.blogspot.com/

[Steve W]

I saw you there. On my second walk around the place, I walked past your table, and a few seconds later it hit me that you were at a table selling your book. I'd already walked past, so I decided to say hello the next time I passed. When I walked by again, you were gone. :( Ah well, I'm planning on going out of town next week, and trying to save my money, so it's just as well. I'd have bought a copy for sure, which would have put a little dent in my pocket.

Speaking of your book, this college kid I work with was telling me about this book about game consoles that he'd heard of, and thought it'd be something I'd be interested in. He said it was about all the consoles released between 1972 and 1984, and it hit me that he was talking about your book! I told him that not only had I already heard of it, I seem to miss out on all your local signings. I went to Lone Star Comics in Hurst right after you'd left. I always got stuck at work for the others. I'm due to finally connect with you at some book signing, though. My luck can't always be bad.

[COUNT SMRIFNACK]

What's going on. Checking in here from Brenham. Anyone know of any stores in Houston that carry TG games? I frequent Traders Village but am looking for any other places in that area. I go to Game Over in Austin now and then but the drive is a pain.

[Giant]

Checking in from the Corpus Area!

[ShinobiMan]

It's really a shame that I've missed all these events. Been going through a lot in my life recently and unfortunately I got the invite a little late. Oh well, I'll def try to make the next one.

[Damaramu]

Glad to see you back, ShinobiMan! I think it may be about time to get an H-Town get together organized.

[ShinobiMan]

Glad to see you back, ShinobiMan! I think it may be about time to get an H-Town get together organized.

Sounds good man. You can count me in, as long as we set a date and time.

[Steve W]

There seems to be a whole lot of Houston folks here. You guys need to put something together. Who knows, I might actually make the trip down for it.

[shadowfire36]

h-town baby !! hell yea we need to something in houston .. who is a member of hal pc ... im sure we could set up a event there

[shadowfire36]

you know what sucks is there isnt one good retro game store in houston

[Gentlegamer]

*bump*

What's up Sam's Town retro-gamers?

[Icarus Moonsight]

Nothin'... just drinking a Bud, watching the game... ;)

I know some DP folk are trying to have a little get together at A-Kon in Dallas at the end of the month for anyone with free time and the means. I don't do cons, well, anymore anyway.


you know what sucks is there isnt one good retro game store in houston

OMG! It's truthiness! LOL

[Steve W]

I didn't know about the A-Kon thing. I'm outside Dallas anyway, so I might have to go. Although I'm not all that big on anime anymore. I went to A-Kon a few years ago, though. It was pretty fun.

[ShinobiMan]

Yeah, we should def have a get together of sorts. There used to be a store in houston that sold old arcade machines. Is that still around? I can't remember it's name or location, but the guys that owned it had like a stock room full of 'em. Everything from Popeye to Junior Pacman. It was awesome.

[Damaramu]

Well, I'm always game for a get together.

[Icarus Moonsight]

There is a store in Humble with a shitload of arcade machines in various stages of build in the strip mall next to the Blue Angel Club. I've never seen them open and finally just went to the door and there it was; To make an appointment: Call...

Dave & Busters or Main Event would serve well methinks. I haven't been to D&B but, their ads make it seem suitable. Main Event I have been to and while games are nice sometimes you just want to shoot some stick or relax with a drink and shoot the air. I imagine they are both about the same.

[Cambot]

Houston, here, as Damaramu knows painfully well as it seems were are constantly in pursuit of the same classic gaming finds.... :)

[Damaramu]

Dave & Busters or Main Event would serve well methinks. I haven't been to D&B but, their ads make it seem suitable. Main Event I have been to and while games are nice sometimes you just want to shoot some stick or relax with a drink and shoot the air. I imagine they are both about the same.

D&B's are fun. They're Chuck E. Cheese for adults, lol. I live 15 minutes from 2 D&B's to boot.

You guys say when, I'm game.

[ShinobiMan]

Isn't there a Dave & Buster's off of Richmond AVE sounds good to me. I don't have the funds for this right now though. Give me another month. LOL

[Icarus Moonsight]

Yeah, about a month (maybe a bit more) is what I'd be looking at as well for a window of opportunity. Richmond is doable, but if we can do this a little closer to the NE side my gas card will surely thank you. LOL

[Damaramu]

Unfortunately, there are only two Dave & Busters locations in Houston: the one on Richmond and the new one on Katy Freeway (formerly Gillian's).

Luckily for me, they are both equidistant from my residence.

[Damaramu]

Anyone who lives in or visits Austin on a regular basis might be aware of a classic gaming shop called Game Over Video Games.

I am on their mailing list and just received the following:



Attention fellow old-school gamers:

Classic Game Fest ’08 is HERE!!

We are hosting a brand-new gaming festival this summer celebrating classic videogames! The event is called Classic Game Fest, and it will take place at the north Austin, TX location of Game Over Videogames at Hwy 183 @ Lamar. We will have a big movie screen set up in the parking lot, and each night we will host classic game tournaments followed by a videogame-related movie fitting the theme for each night. The events will be every other Friday night for the rest of the summer from 8pm – Midnight starting July 11th and run through August 22nd.
(Exact dates are July 11, July 25, August 8, and August 22)

Please see the attached PDF files for more info, or you can also check out our website, www.gameovervideogames.com (http://www.gameovervideogames.com/), or call or come by one of our stores to ask us about it. It should be an awesome experience so make sure that you are there to witness and take part in it! It is totally FREE to WATCH and FREE to PLAY!! Signup sheets to compete in the tournaments will be posted each festival night at 8pm and spots are limited so be here at 8pm if you plan on competing. The movies will start around 10:30 and last until just after midnight. This is a family friendly event, and you may bring folding chairs, blankets, snacks, drinks (non-alcoholic, of course!), etc. It’ll be like “movies in the park”, but with classic videogames and videogame-themed movies. The north store will be open late on festival nights for your shopping pleasure, and we’ll have special sales and prizes during each event. We hope that you will join us in making this inaugural event a great success!

***Please help us to get the word out on this cool event!

WE WANT YOU to post information on Classic Game Fest ’08 on any gaming websites that you regularly visit, print out and put the fliers up in your regular hangouts, and tell and forward this email to all of your friends/family/etc. With your help, these events will be HUGE!! Thank you for helping us to make them a success! See you there, Your friends at Game Over Videogames.In case you guys are interested in a meet up for this or what have you.

[8bitgamer]

[QUOTE=Damaramu;1392314]Anyone who lives in or visits Austin on a regular basis might be aware of a classic gaming shop called Game Over Video Games.

Heh, I just received the same email and was getting ready to post it, but you beat me to it. SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF FUN!

[Icarus Moonsight]

Holy crap. O_O Sounds like fun. I hope I can make it! I been here almost 10 years and haven't even been to Austin yet. This gives me an excellent excuse to cross it off the list. LOL

[Damaramu]

The Houston Area Arcade Group announced new dates for their convention: November 7th and 8th.

For more info, go to their website: http://arcadecenter.com/

[Flack]

It's too bad that Game Over Video Games is having a gaming thing the same weekend as the Oklahoma Videogame Expo -- otherwise I might drive down to check it out.

[The-Bavis]

I'm just signing in here to let it be known that I live in Fort Worth. We have no classic gaming shops I know of and an arcade I always mean to visit but never do.

I'm thinking about going to the OVGE but haven't decided yet.

[DJGeki]

Looks like there might be a retro-convention here in August if there is enough interest. Here's the link (I'm not associated with this group...just think we need more retronauts running around!):

http://gamer.a8maestro.com/gamer.htm

It's not exactly the best website, but at least they've got a decent location. I've been to this conference center, and it's certainly apt to hold a lot of people...just needs more retropopulous.

[Damaramu]

Rise from your grave!

Ok! Me, Icarus Moonsight, and a few others are planning for a get together this Saturday at Dave & Busters @ I10 (next to Edwards Marq*E).

Anyone else game? I've got my wife, a few buddies, and some co-workers that will attending.

If you're up to it, send me or Icarus a PM!

[Fuyukaze]

Rise from your grave!

Ok! Me, Icarus Moonsight, and a few others are planning for a get together this Saturday at Dave & Busters @ I10 (next to Edwards Marq*E).

Anyone else game? I've got my wife, a few buddies, and some co-workers that will attending.

If you're up to it, send me or Icarus a PM!
I'd love to attend but I work that Saturday and have no one I can trade shifts with. By the time I get off work, it'll be close to 11pm and having to be back at work in the morning means a no go no show for me. This makes the second time I've mised out. Well, in December there's Oni-con and Smork is soposed to be coming down before Christmas so perhaps we can gather everyone up either at the con or before the big holiday? I want a weekend off so bad now.

[smork]

I'd love to attend but I work that Saturday and have no one I can trade shifts with. By the time I get off work, it'll be close to 11pm and having to be back at work in the morning means a no go no show for me. This makes the second time I've mised out. Well, in December there's Oni-con and Smork is soposed to be coming down before Christmas so perhaps we can gather everyone up either at the con or before the big holiday? I want a weekend off so bad now.

Yah, I think I'll be around 13-23 December, but I don't have a ticket yet. If there's a to-do around then I will definitely be up for it!

[Damaramu]

Hey guys, just a reminder that the Houston Area Arcade Group's big shindig is this weekend; the 7th and 8th!

Members of the 501st Legion will be there on Saturday!

Here's the list of machines that will "tentatively" be there!

Clicky! (http://www.arcadecenter.com/2008games.htm)

[Fuyukaze]

Neither me nor Icarus will be able to do much till sometime later this month or early next. Family fun emergencies and all.

[smork]

Well, it turns out I will be in town 19-27 December. Bad timing as I am sure most are busy with the holidays, but if not I'd like to meet up.

What do you think?

[Damaramu]

I'm not planning anything big for the holidays, so I'm game. Maybe we can get a group together for some Dave & Busters action or what have you.

[Fuyukaze]

The 19th may prove to be bad timing on my part and I'll be at Oni-Con on the 20th. Rest of the time is ok with me as long as I'm off work. Let me know soon though so I can request the day off.

Smork-as you'll be less then 15 minutes away, a mini-meet with you shouldnt be a problem, I'll pm you my number so you can give me a ring when your in town ok.

[Giant]

I'm moving to San Antonio sometime this summer. What should I know about the area gamewise? Are there any DPers there?

[Badhornet]

Checking in from San Antonio!

[dr101z]

Yep, there are some DP'ers here in San Antonio.

[dr101z]

Gamewise there's not much in the way of interesting stuff anymore. All of the independent game stores either sold out to EB Games before Gamestop took over or folded up years ago.

You'll find the usual mix of Gamestop, Best Buy, Circuit City, Wal-Mart, Target and one regional chain in the way of HEB Plus.

The flea markets and thrift stores don't yield much in the way of videogames. Most of the flea markets are aisle after aisle of people selling what they bought out of containers from southeast Asia (many varieties of NES bootlegs) or bins full of common PlayStation and PS2 titles. Every once in a while you'll find the odd Genesis with a few loose carts or some XBox and Nintendo stuff but not much of anything before 1996.

About 90% of the pawn shops are regional chains that don't deal in anything prior to PS2 or XBox and the few mom-and-pops left in the business are even more depressing when it comes to games.

Having said that though you will still run into the occasional find at a flea market but not like in the mid-90's. Man, those were the best days for collecting stuff as you'd find all sorts of stuff in the flea markets, thrift stores and pawn shops.

[Streetball 21]

I'm from San Antonio also. Your best bet is Flea Markets, but like the above post mentioned, a lot of the same stuff over and over again.

[SegaBoy]

I'm over in North Dallas. I'm up for a meet up or hanging out and playing some games. I love all the old systems especially from Sega (hence my handle), but due to financial reasons, I only have a Wii right now.

On that note, anyone know of any good game stores that sells older games besides the CGX stores? Also, is Gameworks at Grapevine Mills the last so-called arcade around here? I mean I haven't seen a new game in that place in 3 years.

[Steve W]

I'm over in North Dallas. I'm up for a meet up or hanging out and playing some games. I love all the old systems especially from Sega (hence my handle), but due to financial reasons, I only have a Wii right now.

On that note, anyone know of any good game stores that sells older games besides the CGX stores? Also, is Gameworks at Grapevine Mills the last so-called arcade around here? I mean I haven't seen a new game in that place in 3 years.
There's Dave and Busters scattered around the area, plus a place I never knew about in Garland called Nickelrama Arcade that looks to be designed for the younger crowd. The Parks Mall in Arlington still has a Tilt Arcade, and you can still stumble across machines here and there. There's a place called Barcadia in Dallas, but I've never bothered looking the place up since I don't drink. They supposedly have a small but decent selection.

As far as stores that sell older games, there's a couple Trade N' Play stores with a small amount of classic stuff, but usually nothing pre-NES. The Movie Trading Company locations have various amounts of classic stuff, which apparently don't get redistributed amongst the stores. For example, the Forth Worth store has probably 150-200 Atari 2600 games (most are fairly common), but the Garland location has exactly one, which was Pitfall. With those stores, you literally never know what the heck you'll find from visit to visit. They get new stuff on a totally random basis. They don't have any info about rarities of games that old in their computers, so they price them all at $1.99. The Hurst location has Intellivision, Odyssey2, and Atari 5200 games, and most other locations don't. Each store is a crapshoot, but I love checking their stores out anyway.

The Trader's Village flea market in Grand Prairie has, on the far north end, a shop called Crops Collectibles. The guy who runs the place has the proverbial dung-load of systems and games. The only problem being that the place is only open on the weekends. And if you're eagle-eyed, you can walk the market and pick up a few nice deals before you get to his booth. I've bought some great stuff out there over the years.

[Steve W]

Well, the Oklahoma Electronic Games Expo has been announced for April 11th in Oklahoma City. Last year was... a letdown to say the least, considering they threw the event together in a month's time and almost nobody showed up, so hopefully they learned from that experience and have started organizing everything ahead of time. I know that Oklahoma City is a pretty good drive from Houston/Austin/San Antonio, but hopefully we'll see a few Texans there. I'll go again this year, if not for the event, for the opportunity to hang around with a few folks from the forums.

[Minilu]

Corpus here. We need a Texas gathering fo sho'.

[ShinobiMan]

Holy crap! All these years and I still have not attended a Houston DP gathering. Met a fellow member at the Game Stop I worked at in 2007... can't recall his name but he was a long time poster. Who was that?

Anyway we need a get together. Who's up for it?

[Damaramu]

I'm available on the weekends. I've tried a few times to get something going but have had less than stellar results (ie due to scheduling conflicts or general lack of interest).

I'm always game...

[Icarus Moonsight]

Yeah, it hasn't been easy to get this going. I take responsibility for my part in the times of plans that fell through. If we can get something set up again, and I'm able to make it this time, I'm in.

Fuyukaze might be harder than me to rope in these days though. His work schedule changes every week. I hated when I had that kind of BS to put up with.

[Damaramu]

Well the bonus is my work place is available for any get togethers (if you don't mind coming down to the I-10 area).

We've got a spacious conference room complete with giant table and chairs, plus a 40+ inch (can't remember the exact size, but it's big) HDTV to game on. Oh yeah, we usually have drinks on hand...so yeah. I'm game. ;)

[ShinobiMan]

Well the bonus is my work place is available for any get togethers (if you don't mind coming down to the I-10 area).

We've got a spacious conference room complete with giant table and chairs, plus a 40+ inch (can't remember the exact size, but it's big) HDTV to game on. Oh yeah, we usually have drinks on hand...so yeah. I'm game. ;)

This sounds like a plan. A master plan. Who's down for Damaramu's work place?

I never thought I'd ever type such a sentence.

[Icarus Moonsight]

I'd say that spanks the pants off the old D&B plan. We should decide what we'll be playing and who brings what and such I guess. I would like to request someone tow in their 360 and SFIV. I can bring up DC and PS2 for more fighter madness. Only got 1 stick for DC but I have a Hori and the old PS1 beater stick.

Is your work digs available on the weekends? Details man! LOL

[Damaramu]

Absolutely! I've got a key to the office and my boss is a-ok with me bringing friends/guests over!

I can bring a 360 and SFIV. I've only got one SFIV controller though (I really want another). I can also bring a Wii and a couple of Wii-mote/Nunchuck combos.

[Blanka789]

Wrong forum, accidental post!

[Arcade_Ness]

I'm for Austin. I wasn't aware there were so many Texans at DP O.O

[Fuyukaze]

I'm always up for a meet but as Icarus mentioned, I have a horrid schedual. Worst part is it rarely if ever includes weekends. Worked there 8 months now and have never had a Sunday off yet. Dont see having Saturday or Friday off any time soon either. Still, Monday-Thursday may be posible to swing.

[Damaramu]

Ok! Attention all DP'ers in and around the Houston area. Fuyukaze, Icarus Moonsight, and I are getting together for some gaming action. Anyone else want it? Send me a PM and I'll give you the details (time, place, etc.)

[Icarus Moonsight]

This is very last-minute, sorry guys. Not much time to make plans. Try and get in on it, ya know you want to.